First things first, the Tikun Olam Committee of the Jewish Community of El Salvador would like to thank the FJMC for all the help that was given for the accomplishment of our projects, specially with the Yellow Candle Program, which was crucial for one of the biggest projects of the year, the refurbishing of the bathrooms of the Instituto Estado de Israel in Nahuizalco.

This year caught us doing fewer projects but with a greater impact than last year. We focused in infrastructure, specially in renewing the bathrooms of both institutes we help. Aside from that, the committee worked hand by hand with the whole community in October, when heavy rains hit our country. In a flash, a whole tzedakah campaign was mounted for the High Holidays and Succot. Everything that was gathered was donated to ONGs specialized in distribution and also for the people who were using the institute in Nahuizalco as a refuge.

Our most important project was the reconstruction of the bathrooms in both institutes, specially the one in Nahuizalco, which caters to 1,500 students. Most of the money for this project came from the donations made from Yellow Candle Program. We gratefully thank the FJMC for helping us out this year and look forward with working you this 2012, too. The institute in La Paz (200 students) also benefitted from the reconstruction of their bathrooms.

With the help of some members of the community, the committee also donated computers to the institute in La Paz. These members decided to ask for money for their birthdays as a gift and donated it as tzedakah for our projects.

For this 2012, our biggest projects are the construction of a roof for the BKB court and the refurbishing of the laboratories in La Paz. We also want to equip both institutes with musical instruments for their marching bands.

Thanks you again for all your help and support. You really help us make a difference in this country and our community.

Best regards,

Aaron Sztarkman, Chair    Tikun Olam Committee